This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
Context: (Luke 12:13-15 NIV)
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
The Parable of the Rich Fool: (Luke 12:16-21 NIV)
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The Danger of Self-Centeredness:
I often say there are two primary ways to live as a believer: 1) relying on self or 2) relying on God.
— The rich fool’s conversation was all about “I” and “my.” He never considered God or others his plans.
— Self-centeredness will make your life all about you. While this may stroke your ego, it can also lead to spiritual/mental isolation and a lack of fulfillment, even in the midst of abundance. Many people accumulate things, thinking it will make them happy, only to realize they are missing true riches.
— A self-focused life often misses opportunities to bless and uplift others.
— True joy and purpose come from living a life that considers the needs of others.
— God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, emphasizing community and connection.
— The level of fulfillment that you get when you minister to others out of your overflow is something you will not feel any other way. This man was in a position to Be a tremendous blessing to many, but since he made his life all about himself, he lost everything in a moment.
2. The Illusion of Control:
— The devil will attempt to get you to forget that there is a God and that you are ultimately accountable to Him!
— The rich fool believed he had control over his life and future. He thought his wealth guaranteed him many years of ease.
— Life is unpredictable, and we are not in control. It’s a reminder to trust in God’s sovereignty.
— Our plans should always be submitted to God’s will and direction.
— Wealth and possessions can give a false sense of security and control. Many people forget about God once they accumulate earthly possessions. The parable of the Rich Fool is a warning against that becuase if your confidence is in THINGS instead of in God, in the end, you will not like the results.
— Recognizing our dependence on God leads to humility and gratitude.
— Get up every morning acknowledging two things: 1) there is a God, and 2) you are not Him!
3. Earthly Wealth is Temporary:
— The rich fool’s wealth couldn’t save him from death. His possessions were left behind.
— This parable challenges us to think about what we are accumulating for eternity versus what is temporary.
— Earthly treasures can be lost, stolen, or decay, but heavenly treasures are eternal.
— The value of a person is not determined by their material wealth.
— Investing in eternal things brings lasting rewards.
— If you are Born-Again, you are living in two realms at the same time (natural and spiritual, earthly and heavenly). You are supposed to live FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH, meaning that your focus is on heaven and bringing heaven to the earth daily. But if you live FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN, your focus will be on earth, not heaven, and you run the risk of losing your connection to heaven’s influence. If you ever get to that point, you will be filled with God’s Spirit but won’t hear His voice. That’s dangerous becuase you will likely live your life as a mere human. Humans make self-centered decisions when they are not being led by God’s Spirit. Please don’t let this be you!
4. The Misunderstanding of True Security:
— The rich fool believed that his barns and wealth would provide him security.
— True security comes from a relationship with God and placing our trust in Him, not in our possessions.
— Earthly wealth can be fleeting, but God’s promises are sure and steadfast.
— In times of uncertainty, our faith and trust in God provide peace and assurance.
— God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
— If your confidence is in money and not in God, it won’t be long before you realize how foolish your position is.
— Those who place their confidence in God will never be disappointed (Rom 10:11, Isa 49:23).
5. The Call to Generosity:
— Instead of considering how he could bless others with his abundance, the rich fool thought only of himself.
— Generosity is the heart of God. God is always looking for ways to BE a blessing to others.
— When you embrace the heart of God, which is generous, it will lead to true riches and blessings.
— When we give, it opens the door for God to bless us in return.
— Generosity reflects God’s character and love to the world.
— By blessing others, we store up treasures in heaven. And if we live this way consistently, we will also see that God will cause us to reap a harvest on every seed sown, causing us to experience earthly riches as well. This is fine, just as long as you know that money is the least of all riches in God’s Kingdom.
6. The Importance of Spiritual Richness:
— Jesus concludes the parable by highlighting the importance of being “rich toward God.”
— This is a call to prioritize our spiritual life and relationship with God over material
wealth.
— Spiritual richness leads to a life of purpose, fulfillment, and eternal rewards.
— Our relationship with God is the most valuable asset we possess.
— Nurturing our spiritual life through prayer, worship, and the Word ensures we remain rich toward God.
— Yesterday, while in church, I had no duties during the service (which is not always the case for me), so I was pretty much free to worship. I went up to the altar during the praise and worship portion of the service and spent some time on my knees and face in God’s presence. Many times, I lose myself in worship. When I spend time with God, just He and I (without any regard for where I am physically or who is around), I enjoy it beyond anything else this world has to offer. There is nothing money can buy that compares to being in God’s presence, engulfed in His love and grace. When you make God your #1 priority, and you pursue being rich towards above everything else, then if you have the discipline to handle earthly resources (which is key, becuase God will not give you what you cannot manage), then God has no problem with releases earthly riches to you.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I renounce self-centeredness and choose to live a life centered on You and others.
I acknowledge that I am not in control; You are, and I submit my plans to Your will.
I declare that my true wealth and security come from my relationship with You, not from earthly possessions.
Father, I embrace a heart of generosity, reflecting Your love and character to the world.
I prioritize spiritual richness, nurturing my relationship with You above all else.
Father, guide me to live a life that is rich toward You, filled with purpose, fulfillment, and eternal rewards.
I cherish moments in Your presence, recognizing that there is no greater joy than being engulfed in Your love and grace.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
